Impact of Possible GSP Modifications Being Assessed by USITC

October 27, 2010
News Release 10-121
Inv. No(s). 332-521
Contact: Peg O'Laughlin, 202-205-1819

The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) is seeking input for a newly initiated investigation on possible modifications to the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP).

The investigation, Advice Concerning Possible Modifications to the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences, 2010 Review of Removals, was requested by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) in a letter received on October 21, 2010.

As requested, the USITC, an independent, nonpartisan, factfinding federal agency, will provide advice on the likely impact on competing U.S. industries, U.S. imports, and U.S. consumers, of the removal of three HTS subheadings for duty-free status for certain beneficiary developing countries.

The three HTS subheadings are: 9404.30.80 (certain sleeping bags), for all GSP-eligible countries, and HTS subheadings 3919.10.20 and 3919.90.50 (certain types of self-adhesive plates, sheets, film, foil, tape, strip and other flat shapes of plastics, in rolls), for Indonesia.

The USITC will submit its confidential report to the USTR by February 7, 2011. A public version will be released soon thereafter.

The USITC is seeking input for the investigation from all interested parties. The USITC will hold a public hearing in connection with the investigation at 9:30 a.m. on December 1, 2010. Requests to appear at the public hearing should be filed no later than 5:15 p.m. on November 15, 2010, with the Secretary, U.S. International Trade Commission, 500 E Street SW, Washington, DC 20436. For further information, please call 202-205-2000.

The USITC also welcomes written submissions for the record. Written submissions should be addressed to the Secretary to the Commission at the above address and should be submitted at the earliest practical date but no later than 5:15 p.m. on December 8, 2010.

Further information on the scope of the investigation is available in the USITC's notice of investigation, dated October 27, 2010, which can be obtained from the USITC Internet site (www.usitc.gov) or by contacting the office of the Secretary at the above address or at 202-205-2000.

USITC general factfinding investigations, such as this one, cover matters related to tariffs or trade and are generally conducted at the request of the U.S. Trade Representative, the House Committee on Ways and Means, or the Senate Committee on Finance. The resulting reports convey the Commission's objective findings and independent analyses on the subjects investigated. The Commission makes no recommendations on policy or other matters in its general factfinding reports. Upon completion of each investigation, the USITC submits its findings and analyses to the requester. General factfinding investigation reports are subsequently released to the public, unless they are classified by the requester for national security reasons.

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